Getting a dog for the first time can be a real learning curve, with all sorts of things to think about – even if you’ve had plenty of other pets before, or you grew up with dogs as a child, having a dog of your own is different.
For this reason, politicians in Scotland are drawing up a code of practice for getting a dog with the Welfare of Dogs Bill. The bill, which has been passed, aims to ensure that people understand the level of commitment required before getting a pet – the Scottish government will produce a code, comprising a checklist of questions, asking potential dog parents if they’ve considered whether they have the time, space, and money to get a dog. After all, it’s important for a dog to have frequent exercise, access to the best dog food, and lots of love and affection.
Both the new dog parent and the person they’re getting the dog from would then sign a certificate to show that both sides understand the commitment required.
Christine Grahame, a Member of Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Scottish National Party (SNP), introduced the Welfare of Dogs Bill as a member’s bill after years of pushing for changes. She first introduced a similar bill in 2018, but it didn’t go through in a parliament affected heavily by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Grahame is a regular visitor at the Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home, and the home’s chief executive Lindsay Fyffe-Jardine told the BBC of “decisions that perhaps aren’t talked through before purchase” when it comes to people getting dogs. She added, “It's as easy to go out to the supermarket to buy your cereal as it is to get a dog from lots of different places and the reality is not everyone stops to think, 'Can I afford this dog? Can I fit them into my life?' Because it's a huge commitment."
The code of practice the government will need to produce thanks to Grahame’s bill aims to make people ask these questions before they get a dog. Is the breed of dog right for the new dog parent? Will they have time to exercise the dog regularly? Can they commit to caring for the dog throughout the pup’s entire life?
It’s not a license to have a dog or a legally-binding document. The aim, rather, is to make people think carefully about whether they’re able to take on the commitment of a new dog.
A 28-page code of practice for dog parents already exists, and came about in 2010 as part of wider animal welfare reforms. But, as Grahame says, not many dog parents will have read it, and a more concise code that needs to be signed up to when buying the animal is more likely to make them think about the commitment they’re making.
Are you thinking of getting a dog yourself? Don’t miss these first time dog owner tips! And, because nobody’s perfect, here are the 32 most common mistakes new dog owners make.
